Storage container

ABSTRACT

A storage container having a unique hinge arrangement is provided. The container includes a cover and base portion having hinge portions extending therefrom. The hinge portions are molded from a die configuration that creates adjacent cavities formed vertically and laterally. The hinge portions are arranged such that the cover and base interfit to reveal a continuous passage. A pin is inserted through the continuous passage completing a workable hinge. The storage container includes internal lateral wall sections on the cover and base having tabs extending therefrom. The tabs are configured to accept removable spacers. The spacers include side walls that are contoured such that an object may be easily removed without becoming caught in an angled corner. Transparent lids are releasably latched to the inside of the cover and base. The latches for the lids are located in a position that requires each lid to be locked prior to closing the case.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates generally to storage containers,and more particularly to a storage container having a unique dividersystem and hinge configuration.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Storage containers exist in many varieties and may be used tostore, organize and transport various items such as fasteners, tool bitsand other accessories.

[0003] The storage container of the present invention is designed suchthat it may simplify the manufacturing of a storage container. Plasticstorage containers can be typically manufactured fairly inexpensively,but often at the expense of being less rigid and providing lessflexibility in adapting the storage container to store items of varioussizes and shapes. When used to store tool bits, fasteners or accessorieson a job site, a storage case must be built to be strong and durable sothat if it is dropped, it does not break open and spill its contents.Storage containers often include a base portion and a cover portionhingedly connected to the base portion.

[0004] Conventionally, molding a plastic cover with an integrated hingeportion would involve a first step of positioning a metal rod in thesection of the die to consist of the hinge portion and a second step ofremoving the metal rod after the cover is molded to reveal the resultantcontinuous passage for the pin of the hinge. The base portion of thecase would be molded in a similar fashion with the resultant hingeportion able to interfit with the hinge portion of the cover such that apin may be inserted therethrough creating a hinged container. It wouldbe desirable to mold the cover and base including the hinge side of astorage container each in a single step.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The storage container in accordance with this invention providesan improved storage container and method to mold the same. The moldingprocess incorporates strategically placed bores and apertures in a die.The bores and apertures are formed at right angles such that theycooperate to form a continuous passage able to accept a pin to form ahinge. A base, cover and two internal transparent lids are eachconstructed with the unique hinge configuration.

[0006] The container includes internal lateral wall sections on thecover and base having tabs extending therefrom. Removable spacersslidably interfit with the tabs to allow the user to customize theinterior of the container.

[0007] The transparent lids of the internal compartment have slidablelatches for engagement with inner slots of the cover and base. Thelatches are aligned such that both lids must be secured in the lockedposition prior to properly closing the storage container.

[0008] Further areas of applicability of the present invention willbecome apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. Itshould be understood however that the detailed description and specificexamples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, areintended for purposes of illustration only, since various changes andmodifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will becomeapparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] The present invention will become more fully understood from thedetailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0010]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an assembled storage containershown in an open position;

[0011]FIG. 2A is a plan view of the outer surface of the coverconstructed in accordance to the teachings of the preferred embodiment;

[0012]FIG. 2B is a plan view of the inner surface of the cover;

[0013]FIG. 2C is a top view of the cover;

[0014]FIG. 2D is a side view of the cover;

[0015]FIG. 2E is a bottom view of the cover;

[0016]FIG. 3A is a plan view of the outer surface of the base of thestorage container constructed in accordance to the teachings of thepreferred embodiment;

[0017]FIG. 3B is a plan view of the inner surface of the base;

[0018]FIG. 3C is a top view of the base;

[0019]FIG. 3D is a side view of the base;

[0020]FIG. 3E is a bottom view of the base;

[0021]FIG. 4A is a plan view of the first side of a cover plateaccording to the principles of the present invention;

[0022]FIG. 4B is a plan view of the second side of the cover plate;

[0023]FIG. 4C is a rear view of the cover plate;

[0024]FIG. 4D is a side view of the cover plate;

[0025]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a spacer according to theprinciples of the present invention;

[0026]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a cover plate latch according tothe principles of the present invention;

[0027]FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the storage case latch memberaccording to the principles of the present invention;

[0028]FIG. 8A is a plan view of the inner surfaces of the cover and baseto illustrate the alignment of the tab portions;

[0029]FIG. 8B is a plan view of the first and second cover plates, thesecond cover plate identical to the first but rotated and flipped 180degrees from the first cover plate;

[0030]FIG. 9 is a plan view of an assembled storage container shown inan open position to illustrate the outer surface of the cover and base;

[0031]FIG. 10A is an exploded perspective view of a mold used toconstruct a cover portion of the storage container according to thepreferred method of the present invention;

[0032]FIG. 10B is an exploded perspective view of the bottom and sidemold members used to construct the cover portion according to thepreferred method of the present invention; and

[0033]FIG. 11 is an enlarged perspective view of the area 11 of FIG. 10illustrating the alignment of the hinge forming pegs.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0034] With reference to FIG. 1, the storage container 10 of the presentinvention is shown. The storage container 10 includes a base 12 and acover 14 hingedly attached to the base 12. A pair of transparent coverplates 16, 18 are provided for selectively enclosing the storage areadefined by the base 12 and cover 14, respectively.

[0035] As shown in FIGS. 2A-2E, the cover 14 includes a cover surface20, an inner surface 22, a top wall 24, side walls 26, 28 and a bottomwall 30. Similarly, referencing now FIGS. 3A-3E, the base 12 includes abottom surface 32, an inner surface 34, a top wall 36, side walls 38, 40and bottom wall 42. The storage container 10 includes removable spacers52 (FIG. 1 and FIG. 5) that may be selectably positioned within thestorage container to customize the interior space. Slidable latches 70,70′ releasably secure cover plates 16 and 18 to the base 12 and cover14, respectively. Latch 80 releasably secures cover 14 to the base 12.

[0036] With continued reference to FIGS. 2A-2E, the cover 14 will now bedescribed in greater detail. Cover surface 20 is contoured to includeupwardly extending portions 44. The inner surface 22 includes paralleldividers 46,56 extending between side walls 26,28. Parallel dividers 46,56 and bottom wall 30 include tabs 48 extending therefrom. Tabs 48 areconfigured to engage fingers 50 of removable spacers 52 (best shown inFIG. 5). Opposing tabs 48 a, 48 b (FIG. 2B), are laterally offset apredetermined distance such that a readily available piece of materialmay be substituted for a spacer 52, in the event a spacer is misplaced.The predetermined distance is configured to be a distance common toreadily available scrap pieces of material such as, but not limited to,⅛ inch plywood. Bottom surface 30 includes integrated hinge member 76. Aslot 58 is configured to accept a finger 98 on latch 70′ (best shown inFIGS. 1 and 6) of cover plate 18.

[0037] Turning now to FIGS. 3A-3E, the base 12 will now be described ingreater detail. The inner surface 34 of the base 12 is configured muchthe same as the cover 14. Base surface 32 includes recessed portions 54.The recessed portions 54 are coordinated to interfit with the upwardlyextending portions 44 of cover 14 such that a series of cases 10 may besecurely stacked. The inner surface 34 includes parallel dividers 64, 66extending between side walls 38,40. Parallel dividers 64, 66 and bottomwall 42 include tabs 68 extending therefrom. Tabs 68 are configured toengage tabs 50 of removable spacers 52 (best shown in FIGS. 1 and 5).Opposing tabs 68 a, 68 b are laterally offset a predetermined distancesuch that a scrap piece of material may be substituted for a spacer 52as described above. Base 12 includes integrated hinge member 86. A slot120 is configured to accept finger 98 on latch 70 (best shown in FIGS. 1and 6) of cover plate 16.

[0038] The storage container 10 of the present invention allows theapertures of the hinge portion to be formed without the need of a metalrod for forming the apertures. The configuration of the cover 14 and thebase 12 illustrated in FIGS. 2A-3E include hinge portions 76 and 86,respectively. The hinge member 76 of cover 14 including tab portions 78which are formed from a die configuration that creates cavity sections82 (FIG. 2B) in a direction perpendicular to the plane of cover 14.Additionally, the die allows cavity sections 84 (viewed from FIG. 2E) tobe formed in a direction parallel to the plane of cover 14 and in alocation between cavity sections 82. The insert portions of the die arestrategically located such that cavity sections 82 and 84 cooperate toform a continuous passage 88 (FIGS. 2B and 2D) which is created withoutthe need for additional steps involving a metal rod die insert as isrequired with conventional hinge molding techniques.

[0039] The base 12 is molded in a similar fashion to create a continuouspassage for a hinge pin. Tab portions 90 of hinge member 86 includecavity sections 92 (FIG. 3B) perpendicular from the plane of base 12.Accordingly, cavities 94 (FIG. 3E) are also incorporated in a directionparallel to the plane of base 12. Cavities 92 and 94 cooperate to form acontinuous passage 96 (FIG. 3B and FIG. 3D).

[0040] Turning now to FIGS. 4A through 4D, the interior of case 10includes two symmetric transparent cover plates 16,18. The cover plates16,18 are molded with the same hinge strategy as mentioned for the cover14 and base 12. The tab portions 102 of hinge sections 100 includecavities 104 formed perpendicular to face 106 of cover plate 16,18 on afirst side of the cover plates 16,18. Cavities 108 are also formed fromthe geometry of the die and are perpendicular to face 106 on a secondside of the cover plates 16, 18. Cavities 104 and 108 are parallel toeach other and offset which cooperate to form a continuous passage 110(FIG. 4D). The tab portions 102 of the cover plates are laterally offsetsuch that a first cover plate 16 may be turned 180 degrees from a secondcover plate 18 allowing the tab portions 102 to interfit. This featureallows both cover plates 16,18 to be molded from the same die. Coverplates 16,18 include a slot 112 integrated thereon to accept slidablelatches 70,70′ (FIGS. 1 and 6).

[0041] Referring now to FIGS. 8A and 8B, tab portions 90 of hinge 86 ofthe base 12 are offset from hinge portions 78 of cover 14 so as tointerfit when mated. Furthermore, the tab portions 102 of the coverplates 16,18 are positioned between hinge members 86,76 of the base 12and cover 14, respectively (placing FIG. 8B onto FIG. 8A to create FIG.1). The respective hinge portions 90 of base 12, 78 of cover 14 and 102of cover plates 16,18 interfit to define one continuous passage 114aligned to accept a hinge pin 130 (FIG. 1).

[0042] Turning now to FIG. 5, the spacer 52 will now be described. Aseries of spacers 52 will be included for the user to customize the sizeof the inner compartments. Spacer 52 includes flared arms 116 havingfingers 50 extending therefrom. The fingers 50 are adapted to slidablyengage tabs 48 of cover 14 or tabs 68 of base 12. The spacers are madefrom a flexible material such as soft rubber or other elastomericmaterial. The flared arms 116 of spacers 52 are contoured such that anobject may be easily removed from the box without becoming caught in a90 degree corner of an inner compartment. The internal configurationalso provides shock resistance in the event of a drop or sudden impact.

[0043] Referencing now FIGS. 4A, 4B and 6 with continued reference toFIG. 1, the cover plates 16 will now be described. Cover plate 16includes a latch 70 slidably engaged with slot 112. The latch 70 (bestshown in FIG. 6), includes body 74, having an arm 98 and outwardlyextending fingers 72 and tang 99. Wing section 60 has a contouredsurface to enhance grip while sliding latch 70. Latch 70 is slidablyengaged to slot 112 of cover plate 16. When a cover plate 16 is in itsclosed position, latch 70 may be laterally moved such that fingers 72 ofarm 98 engage the rear surface of slot 120 securing the cover plate 16to base 12 in a locked position.

[0044] The second cover plate 18 (identical to the first cover plate butflipped 180 degrees) also includes a slot 112′ and latch 70′. The latch70′ slidably engages slot 58 of cover 14 when in a locked position. Therelationship of latches 70, 70′ to cover plates 16 and 18 are such thatthe latches 70,70′ of the cover plates 16,18 must be in a lockedposition in order for the carrying case 5 to properly close. Explainedfurther, if the latches 70, 70′ are not in a locked position, the wing60 of latches 70, 70′ will abut against one another preventing the case10 from properly closing.

[0045] Turning now to FIG. 7 with continued reference to FIGS. 2A and2B, the cover 14 includes a slidable latch 80. The slidable latch 80includes outer circumferential wall 128 including fingers 122 forengagement with track 124 of base 12 and track 105 on cover 14. Ribs 118laterally extend from face 126 of latch 80 to improve grip.

[0046] Referencing FIGS. 10 and 11, the mold used to construct the cover14 of the storage container 10 will now be described. The tool 140includes a first and second die member 136 and 144. Die 136 includesvertical pegs 142 extending therefrom and tab sections 150. The base 12is molded from a similar tool having a corresponding peg and tabarrangement which are offset from those of the cover tool 140 such thatthe molded parts cooperate to form a hinge. As such, a similar diearrangement is used to mold the cover plates 16, 18.

[0047] The method of constructing the cover 14 and base 12 of storagecontainer 10, will now be described. In a first general step thepreferred method of the present invention provides a first tool 140having a first die member 136 including a series of pegs 142 extendingin a first direction and a second die member 144 including a series ofpegs 146 extending in a perpendicular direction.

[0048] In a second general step, the preferred method of the presentinvention introduces the molten plastic material to the first tool 140.

[0049] In a third general step, the first and second die members 136 and144 are removed to reveal a cover 14 having a first continuous passage88.

[0050] The base 12 is formed similar to the cover 14.

[0051] The first continuous passage 88 of cover 14 is then aligned withthe second continuous passage 96 of base 12 and the passage 110 throughcover plates 16,18. A pin 130 is inserted through the passages 88, 96and 110.

[0052] The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that thesame may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regardedas a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all suchmodifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are intendedto be included within the scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A storage container comprising: a cover portionhaving a second series of hinge sections connected to said base portion;a base portion having a first series of hinge sections; a first innerlid portion including a first end with a third series of hinge sectionsconnected to said base portion and said cover portion; a second innerlid portion including a first end with a fourth series of hinge sectionsconnected to said base portion and said cover portion; wherein saidfirst, second, third and fourth hinge sections cooperate to form asingle elongated hinge; said base and cover portions are closeabledefining an outer shell and an internal space.
 2. The storage containeraccording to claim 1, wherein one of said base and cover portionsinclude a latch, said latch being slidable between a first lockedposition and a second unlocked position.
 3. The storage containeraccording to claim 1, wherein said first and second inner lid portionsare symmetric.
 4. The storage container according to claim 3, whereinsaid first and second inner lid portions each include a latch, saidlatch slidable between a first locked position for engaging said firstand second inner lid portions to a respective one of said base portionand said cover portion and a second unlocked position for disengagingsaid first and second inner lid portions from said respective base andcover portions.
 5. The storage container according to claim 4, whereinsaid first and second inner lid portions are transparent.
 6. The storagecontainer according to claim 5, wherein said base and said coverportions includes at least one internal lateral divider wall having aseries of locating tabs extending therefrom.
 7. The storage containeraccording to claim 6, further comprising at least one adjustable dividerfor selectively positioning between said locating tabs.
 8. The storagecontainer according to claim 7, wherein said adjustable divider includesa first and second side having a first and a second end, said first andsecond sides are flared outwardly at said first and second ends.
 9. Thestorage container according to claim 1, wherein an outer side of saidbase and cover portions include recessed and extending portions suchthat the recessed portions of a first storage container cooperate toreceive the extending portions of a second storage container tofacilitate stackability.
 10. A storage container comprising: a baseportion; a cover portion hingedly attached to said base portion, one ofsaid base and cover portions including an inner side having acircumferential wall and at least one upright divider wall having aseries of tabs extending therefrom, and at least one removable spaceradapted to selectively interfit with said tabs of said circumferentialwall and said divider wall, said spacer having a first end section,middle section and second end section, said first and second endsections having larger cross sections than said middle section.
 11. Thestorage container according to claim 10, wherein said at least oneremovable spacer is made from an elastomeric material.
 12. The storagecontainer according to claim 10, wherein one of said base and coverportion include a latch, said latch slidable between a locked positionand an unlocked position.
 13. The storage container according to claim10, further comprising first and second inner lids hingedly connected tosaid base portion and said cover portion, said first and second innerlids each include a latch slidable between a locked position forengaging said first and second inner lid portions to said respectivebase and cover portions and an unlocked position.
 14. The storagecontainer according to claim 13, wherein said latch of one of said firstand second lids abuts the other of said first and second lids when in anunlocked position as said base and cover portions are pivoted from anopen position to a closed position.
 15. A storage container, comprising:a base portion; a cover portion hingedly attached to said base portion;a first and second inner lid each hingedly connected to said baseportion and said cover portion, said first and second inner lids eachincluding a latch slidable between a locked position for engaging saidfirst and second inner lid portions to a respective base and coverportion and an unlocked position, wherein said latch of said first andsecond lids abuts the other latch of said first and second lids when inan unlocked position as said base and cover portions are pivoted from anopen position to a closed position preventing said base and coverportions from fully closing.